Liam Baker says he’s excited to pull on the iconic Black Swan guernsey as he prepares to represent Western Australia in the upcoming AFL Origin clash against Victoria.

The West Coast Eagles defender was announced in the WA team this week, and the news has sparked plenty of excitement both for Baker and around the club.

For Baker, it will be the first time he’s played in a representative match since playing for WA at under-18s level.

“I can’t wait to put the jumper on again,” Baker said at Optus Stadium on Thursday.

“Playing alongside guys like Shai Bolton, who I’ve played with before, and others I grew up watching like Patrick Cripps and Jesse Hogan, that’s going to be exciting.”

While the Victorian midfield is stacked with talent, Baker believes WA’s speed and home-ground advantage will play a big role.

“They’re coming over here, and I know what they’re like, they don’t like coming over here it’s a bit too far for them,” Baker laughed.

“Our home turf, we’ll have a good crowd there I’d imagine.

“Our speed on the outside (will be important). There’s Charlie (Cameron), Shai (Bolton) and ‘Kozzie’ (Kysaiah Pickett) already in the team. Good luck to them.”

The rivalry between WA and Victoria might not be as fiery as it was in decades past, but Baker believes there will be an edge when the two states meet.

 “We seem to think we get the rough end of the stick over here … but I don’t think it’s like it was back in the day with that actual hatred, what it sounded like,” he said.

“We’ll have a bit of fun with it, try and chirp it up a bit on the way to the game.

“We’ll see how it goes but hopefully they’re keen to get into it as much as we are.”

Baker also hinted at a potential showdown with teammate Harley Reid, should the young star earn a Victorian call-up.

“It would be good to see Harley out there,” Baker said.

“He’s one of the most exciting players in the comp, even though he’s only played two years of footy.

“If he’s out there, we’ve already had a little chat, we’d have a bit of fun out there and try to get one on each other.”

Despite the timing on the eve of the premiership season, Baker insists players will treat the contest seriously.

“Just the excitement about playing for WA again, even in the group chat there’s been a couple of messages talking about getting a win,” Baker said.

“That excited me a bit, so I think the boys will be going full noise.”

The anticipation isn’t limited to Baker, with several Eagles hopeful of joining him in the WA squad.

“Blokes like ‘Loosh’ (Jake Waterman) and Reuben (Ginbey) maybe, and ‘Starce’ (Brandon Starcevich), fingers crossed they get the call up because it sounds like they’re pretty keen to play,” Baker said.

“Hopefully there’s a few more West Coast boys but I think a few of them might even come along and have a watch.

“There’s a bit of excitement around the club.”